2017 World Cup Week 2: Teams and Game Day

[greeneyed]

2017 World Cup Week 2: Teams and Game Day



Australia V France
Friday 3 November 8:00pm AEDT
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Tickets: Click here
TV: Seven 7:30pm AEDT



Australia
1 Billy Slater
2 Tom Trbojevic
3 Will Chambers
4 Josh Dugan
5 Josh Mansour
6 Michael Morgan
7 James Maloney
8 Jordan McLean
9 Cameron Smith
10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Wade Graham
12 Tyson Frizell
13 Josh McGuire

14 Cameron Munster
15 Felise Kaufusi
16 Aaron Woods
17 David Klemmer

18 Valentine Holmes
19 Matt Gillett
20 Dane Gagai
21 Boyd Cordner

France
1 Mark Kheirallah
2 Fouad Yaha
3 Bastien Ader
4 Olivier Arnaud
5 Ilias Bergal
6 Remy Marginet
7 Theo Fages c
8 Maxime Herold
9 Eloi Pelissier
10 Julian Bousquet
11 Benjamin Garcia
12 Benjamin Jullien
13 Jason Baitieri

14 Thibault Margalet
15 Mickael Rouch
16 Romain Navarrete
17 John Boudebza

18 Lucas Albert
19 Antonio Maria
20 Nabil Djalout
21 Lambert Belmas

Referee: Robert Hicks
Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Mark Craven
Video Referee: James Child

New Zealand V Scotland
Saturday 4 November 3:00pm AEDT 5:00pm NZDT
Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Tickets: Click here
TV: 7mate 2:30pm AEDT



New Zealand
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2 Jason Nightingale
3 Dean Whare
4 Brad Takairangi
5 Peta Hiku
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Martin Taupau
9 Elijah Taylor
10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
11 Kenny Bromwich
12 Joseph Tapine
13 Adam Blair

14 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
15 Russell Packer
16 Addin Fonua-Blake
17 Danny Levi

18 Thomas Leuluai
19 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
20 Simon Mannering
21 Jordan Rapana

Scotland
1 Alex Walker
2 Lewis Tierney
3 Ben Hellewell
4 Lachlan Stein
5 Matthew Russell
6 Danny Brough
7 Oscar Thomas
8 Luke Douglas
9 Danny Addy
10 Ben Kavanagh
11 Jarred Anderson
12 Dale Ferguson
13 James Bell

14 Kane Bentley
15 Sam Brooks
16 Brandan Wilkinson
17 Johnny Walker

18 Andrew Bentley
19 Callum Phillips
20 Shane Toal
21 Frankie Mariano

Referee: Henry Perenara
Sideline Officials: Belinda Sleeman, Chris McMillan
Video Referees: Steve Chiddy

Samoa V Tonga
Saturday 4 November 5:30pm AEDT 7:30pm NZDT
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Tickets: Click here
TV: 7mate 5:30pm AEDT



Samoa
1 Young Tonumaipea
2 Ricky Leutele
3 Timoteo Lafai
4 Joseph Leilua
5 Ken Maumalo
6 Joseph Paulo
7 Ben Roberts
8 Junior Paulo
9 Jazz Tevaga
10 Herman Ese’ese
11 Joshua Papalii
12 Frank Pritchard c
13 Leeson Ah Mau

14 Fa’amanu Brown
15 Zane Musgrove
16 Sam Lisone
17 Bunty Afoa

18 Sam Tagataese
19 Frank Winterstein
20 Jarome Luai
21 Matthew Wright

Tonga
1 Will Hopoate
2 Daniel Tupou
3 Michael Jennings
4 Solomone Kata
5 David Fusitu’a
6 Tuimoala Lolohea
7 Ata Hingano
8 Andrew Fifita
9 Siliva Havilli
10 Sio Siua Taukieaho
11 Manu Ma’u
12 Sika Manu c
13 Jason Taumalolo

14 Sione Katoa
15 Sam Moa
16 Peni Terepo
17 Ben Murdoch-Masila

18 Ukuma Ta’ai
19 Manu Vatuvei
20 Konrad Hurrell
21 Samisoni Langi

Referee: Ben Cummins
Sideline Officials: Dave Munro, Tim Roby
Video Referee: Jared Maxwell

England V Lebanon
Saturday 4 November 8:00pm AEDT
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Tickets: Click here
TV: 7mate 8:00pm AEDT



England
1 Jonny Lomax
2 Jermaine McGillvary
3 Kallum Watkins
4 John Bateman
5 Ryan Hall
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Luke Gale
8 Chris Hill
9 Josh Hodgson
10 James Graham
11 Ben Currie
12 Elliott Whitehead
13 Sean O’Loughlin

14 Alex Walmsley
15 Chris Heighington
16 Thomas Burgess
17 James Roby

18 George Williams
19 Mike McMeeken
20 Mark Percival
21 Stefan Ratchford

Lebanon
1 Daniel Abou-Sleiman
2 Travis Robinson
3 Adam Doueihi
4 Jason Wehbe
5 Abbas Miski
6 Mitchell Moses
7 Robbie Farah (c)
8 Tim Mannah
9 Michael Lichaa
10 Alex Twal
11 Chris Saab
12 Ahmad Ellaz
13 Nick Kassis

14 Mitchell Mamary
15 Ray Moujalli
16 Jamie Clark
17 Jason Wehbe

18 Elias Sukkar
19 Anthony Layoun
20 Andrew Kazzi
21 James Elias

Referee: Ben Thaler
Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Liam Moore
Video Referees: Phil Bentham

Papua New Guinea V Ireland
Sunday 5 November 5:00pm AEDT 4:00pm PGT
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Tickets: Click here
TV: 7mate 4:30pm AEDT



Papua New Guinea
1 David Mead c
2 Justin Olam
3 Kato Ottio
4 Nene Macdonald
5 Garry Lo
6 Ase Boas
7 Watson Boas
8 Stanton Albert
9 Kurt Baptiste
10 Luke Page
11 Rhyse Martin
12 Willie Minoga
13 Paul Aiton

14 James Segeyaro
15 Wellington Albert
16 Stargroth Amean
17 Enock Maki

18 Moses Meninga
19 Lachlan Lam
20 Nixon Putt
21 Wartovo Puara

Ireland
1 Scott Grix
2 Shannon Mcdonnell
3 Ed Chamberlain
4 Michael Morgan
5 Liam Kay
6 Api Pewhairangi
7 Liam Finn c
8 1 Brad Singleton
9 Michael Mcillorum
10 Kyle Amor
11 Louie Mccarthy-Scarsbrook
12 Oliver Roberts
13 George King

14 Tyrone Mccarthy
15 James Hasson
16 Joe Philbin
17 Anthony Mullaly

18 Will Hope
19 Joe Keyes
20 Matty Hadden
21 Jack Higginson

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Sideline Officials: Chris Butler, Michael Wise
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton

Italy V United States of America
Sunday 5 November 5:00pm AEDT 4:00pm AEST
Townsville Stadium, Townsville
Tickets: Click here
TV: 7 Live App Delayed 7mate 9:30pm AEDT



Italy
1 James Tedesco
2 Mason Cerruto
3 Justin Castellaro
4 Nathan Milone
5 Josh Mantellato
6 Terry Campese
7 Ryan Ghietti
8 Paul Vaughan
9 Joseph Tramontana
10 Daniel Alvaro
11 Joel Riethmuller
12 Mark Minichiello c
13 Nathan Brown

14 Christopher Centrone
15 Brendan Santi
16 Shannon Wakeman
17 Jayden Walker

18 Gavin Hiscox
19 Richard Lepori
20 Christophe Calegari
21 Gioele Celerino

United States of America
1 Corey Makelim
2 Ryan Burroughs
3 Junior Vaivai
4 Jonathan Alley
5 Bureta Faraimo
6 Kristian Freed
7 Tui Samoa
8 Eddy Pettybourne
9 David Marando
10 Mark Offerdahl c
11 Danny Howard
12 Matt Shipway
13 Nicholas Newlin

14 Sam Tochterman-Talbott
15 Fotukava Malu
16 Steve Howard
17 Gabriel Farley

18 Charles Cortalano
19 Joe Eichner
20 David Ulch
21 Joshua Rice

Referee: Ashley Klein
Sideline officials: James Child and Adam Gee
Video referee: Robert Hicks

Fiji V Wales
Sunday 5 November 7:30pm AEDT 6:30pm AEST
Townsville Stadium, Townsville
Tickets: Click here
TV: 7mate 7:30pm AEDT



Fiji
1 Kevin Naiqama c
2 Suliasi Vunivalu
3 Taane Milne
4 Akuila Uate
5 Marcelo Montoya
6 Jarryd Hayne
7 Henry Raiwalui
8 Ashton Sims
9 Apisai Koroisau
10 Eloni Vunakece
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Brayden Wiliame
13 Tui Kamikamica

14 Joe Lovodua
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Junior Roqica
17 Ben Nakubuwai

18 James Storer
19 Pio Seci
20 Salesi Faingaa
21 Sitiveni Moceidreke

Wales
1 Elliot Kear
2 Rhys Williams
3 Michael Channing
4 Christiaan Roets
5 Regan Grace
6 Courtney Davies
7 Danny Ansell
8 Craig Kopczak c
9 Steve Parry
10 Philip Joseph
11 Rhodri Lloyd
12 Joe Burke
13 Morgan Knowles

14 Matty Fozard
15 Matthew Barron
16 Ben Evans
17 Dalton Grant

18 Josh Ralph
19 Ben Morris
20 Gavin Bennion
21 Andrew Gay

Referee: Chris Kendall
Sideline Officials: Mark Craven, Chris Sutton
Video Referees: Phil Bentham

[Sid]

only match up I'm looking forward to there is Samoa Vs Tonga

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders Joe Tapine praised by NZ coach Kidwell

New Zealand’s coaching staff have praised the five Kiwis rookies in the side which beat Samoa on Saturday night and admitted they had all exceeded expectations.

“Joe had only been playing 20-25 minutes on average for Canberra and we really pushed him out,” Kidwell said. “He showed a bit of grit there and for a young guy to want to stay out there for the full 80 minutes was really good.”

Read more: http://www.raiders.com.au/news/2017/10/ ... _news.html

Bench shapes as key for NZ: http://www.nrl.com/bench-shapes-as-key- ... fault.aspx

Opportunity missed for rueful French: http://www.nrl.com/opportunity-missed-f ... fault.aspx

England's candid McGillvary sets the bar high: http://www.nrl.com/candid-mcgillvary-se ... fault.aspx

Lebanon's Moses justifies the hype: http://www.nrl.com/moses-justifies-the- ... fault.aspx

Injuries wreak havoc in RLWC17 week one: http://www.nrl.com/injuries-wreak-havoc ... fault.aspx

[the bone]

only match up I'm looking forward to there is Samoa Vs Tonga

PNG vs Ireland might be alright as well. The rest are in for some more lob sided scorelines

[greeneyed]

England V Lebanon could be interesting. The Townsville games could be good contests too.

[dubby]

Ok, time for Dubbys pick of the round!

Biggest surprise packet:

Ireland. I dont think anyone expected them to play that well. They looked sharp.

Biggest disappointment:

Samoa. Looked tired, unmotivated, too heavy and lacked cohesion and creativity.

Dedication award:

NZ and England. They really tried hard. England are not known for defensive prowess but they showed true grit.

NZ. Looked prepared and with a point to prove.

The passion: PNG. Wow, they've really improved since the last world cup. How can you not love their passion....fans and players!

The ' it's too hot award'. Wales and Scotland didnt like the heat. Wales in particular were never in the game vs PNG. I expected better from these two nations.

So far we've seen very good signs from Fiji, Tonga, PNG, Ireland. They'll figure in the finals IMO.

I'll be interested to see if Italy and Scotland can improve.

[greeneyed]

Interesting to see NZ on Instagram Stories today out in the bush, looks like they were working on the equivalent of a land care project, planting trees etc. The NZ coach is really trying to bring them back to basics.

[Canberra Milk]

Looks to me like the World Cup is a big social occasion for the Samoan players, along with a bit of cultural bonding, rather than a comp they're desperate to win

Hope I'm wrong as I obviously want our three to do well

[julian87]

Only 1 game worth watching.

[julian87]

England V Lebanon could be interesting. The Townsville games could be good contests too.

England will put at least 50 on Lebanon. It will be an absolute massacre.

I personally reckon England are #2 in this tournament. Everyone carrying on about how poor Australia were well they were just as scratchy yet with obvious talent IMO.

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead named for England team to face Lebanon

England coach Wayne Bennett has selected his squad for their World Cup match against Lebanon at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night, with Canberra Raiders Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead retaining their places in the starting 13.

Sam Burgess (medial knee ligament) is replaced in the second row by Ben Currie. Alex Walmsley (virus) is included in the top 17.

“We were unfortunate to lose Sam early in the game against Australia but received some good news and we can now possibly get him back sooner than anticipated,” Wayne Bennett said.

“Apart from Sam, everyone is fit, healthy and good to go against Lebanon. Friday’s result was disappointing but the players have shown they wanted to get straight back into it and we had a great day in hot temperatures on Monday.

“Alex was in the match day squad last week and he was unlucky not to make the field. He’s feeling good again and I want to see what he can offer against Lebanon.”

1 Jonny Lomax
2 Jermaine McGillvary
3 Kallum Watkins
4 John Bateman
5 Ryan Hall
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Luke Gale
8 Chris Hill
9 Josh Hodgson
10 James Graham
11 Ben Currie
12 Elliott Whitehead
13 Sean O’Loughlin

14 Alex Walmsley
15 Chris Heighington
16 Thomas Burgess
17 James Roby

18 George Williams
19 Mike McMeeken
20 Mark Percival
21 Stefan Ratchford

All the team line ups as they become available: http://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php ... 2#p1553809

[julian87]

Couple of things about that England side.... Surely the ESL isn't full of powder puff forwards to the extent that Chris Heighnington rightfully claims a spot on their bench. I don't know if he's injured or not but Mike Cooper who played for the Dragons last season was a much, much better player than the current incarnation of Chris Heighnington.

Secondly; England's best two players are Hodgson and Roby. Bennett needs to use them together if he wants a shot at winning the world cup. I'd want both of them on the field for the majority of the second half.

[greeneyed]

Gallery: Kangaroos clinic at Raiders Belconnen: http://www.raiders.com.au/news/2017/10/ ... os_cl.html

Sad the Kangaroos appear to have scheduled no public appearances in Canberra. This sort of thing is great for those involved. But it all seems very carefully managed in a way that keeps the Kangaroos away from the general public. Also sad, given that it seems like the Stadium will only be half full, at best. No genuine community involvement, no World Cup legacy in Canberra.

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders named for Week 2 of the World Cup

England coach Wayne Bennett has selected his squad for their World Cup match against Lebanon at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night, with Canberra Raiders Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead retaining thei places in the starting 13.

England
1 Jonny Lomax
2 Jermaine McGillvary
3 Kallum Watkins
4 John Bateman
5 Ryan Hall
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Luke Gale
8 Chris Hill
9 Josh Hodgson
10 James Graham
11 Ben Currie
12 Elliott Whitehead
13 Sean O’Loughlin

14 Alex Walmsley
15 Chris Heighington
16 Thomas Burgess
17 James Roby

18 George Williams
19 Mike McMeeken
20 Mark Percival
21 Stefan Ratchford

New Zealand Kiwis coach David Kidwell has named Canberra Raiders foward Joe Tapine in his team to face Scotland in the second round of the World Cup. However, he has signalled he will rest Raiders winger Jordan Rapana from the match, naming him on the extended reserves list.

New Zealand
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2 Jason Nightingale
3 Dean Whare
4 Brad Takairangi
5 Peta Hiku
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Martin Taupau
9 Elijah Taylor
10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
11 Kenny Bromwich
12 Joseph Tapine
13 Adam Blair

14 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
15 Russell Packer
16 Addin Fonua-Blake
17 Danny Levi

18 Thomas Leuluai
19 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
20 Simon Mannering
21 Jordan Rapana

Canberra Raiders Joey Leilua, Junior Paulo and Josh Papalii have all retained their place in Samoa's starting team which will meet Tonga in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday night.

Samoa
1 Young Tonumaipea
2 Ricky Leutele
3 Timoteo Lafai
4 Joseph Leilua
5 Ken Maumalo
6 Joseph Paulo
7 Ben Roberts
8 Junior Paulo
9 Jazz Tevaga
10 Herman Ese’ese
11 Joshua Papalii
12 Frank Pritchard c
13 Leeson Ah Mau

14 Fa’amanu Brown
15 Zane Musgrove
16 Sam Lisone
17 Bunty Afoa

18 Sam Tagataese
19 Frank Winterstein
20 Jarome Luai
21 Matthew Wright

And both Kato Ottio and Kurt Baptiste have been named in the starting team for the PNG Kumuls clash with Ireland at Port Moresby on Sunday. Baptiste has been promoted from the bench to starting hooker.

Papua New Guinea
1 David Mead c
2 Justin Olam
3 Kato Ottio
4 Nene Macdonald
5 Garry Lo
6 Ase Boas
7 Watson Boas
8 Stanton Albert
9 Kurt Baptiste
10 Luke Page
11 Rhyse Martin
12 Willie Minoga
13 Paul Aiton

14 James Segeyaro
15 Wellington Albert
16 Stargroth Amean
17 Enock Maki

18 Moses Meninga
19 Lachlan Lam
20 Nixon Putt
21 Wartovo Puara

And former Canberra Raiders captain Terry Campese has been named for Italy in their clash with the United States.

Italy
1 James Tedesco
2 Mason Cerruto
3 Justin Castellaro
4 Nathan Milone
5 Josh Mantellato
6 Terry Campese
7 Ryan Ghietti
8 Paul Vaughan
9 Joseph Tramontana
10 Daniel Alvaro
11 Joel Riethmuller
12 Mark Minichiello c
13 Nathan Brown

14 Christopher Centrone
15 Brendan Santi
16 Shannon Wakeman
17 Jayden Walker

18 Gavin Hiscox
19 Richard Lepori
20 Christophe Calegari
21 Gioele Celerino

All the team line ups as they become available: http://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php ... 2#p1553809

[greeneyed]

Australian Kangaroos name four debutants

Australian coach Mal Meninga has named four debutants for the Kangaroos clash with France at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, rotating his squad. Tom Trbovjevic gets his first start on the wing, while Reagan Campbell Gillard, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi also make their debuts.

Kangaroos

1 Billy Slater
2 Tom Trbojevic
3 Will Chambers
4 Josh Dugan
5 Josh Mansour
6 Michael Morgan
7 James Maloney
8 Jordan McLean
9 Cameron Smith
10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Wade Graham
12 Tyson Frizell
13 Josh McGuire

14 Cameron Munster
15 Felise Kaufusi
16 Aaron Woods
17 David Klemmer

18 Valentine Holmes
19 Matt Gillett
20 Dane Gagai
21 Boyd Cordner

All the team line ups as they become available: http://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php ... 2#p1553809

Kangaroos to debut four against France: http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-to-debut-f ... fault.aspx

Lebanon coach Brad Fittler brings in new faces for England: http://www.nrl.com/fittler-brings-in-ne ... fault.aspx

Lebanon an unknown entity to Bennett: http://www.nrl.com/lebanon-an-unknown-e ... fault.aspx

New Zealand's Waerea-Hargreaves has a point to prove: http://www.nrl.com/waerea-hargreaves-ha ... fault.aspx

Kane Evans still amongst it for Fiji: http://www.nrl.com/evans-still-amongst- ... fault.aspx

Kidwell refreshes NZ side to face Scotland: http://www.nrl.com/kidwell-refreshes-nz ... fault.aspx

Walmsley to make England debut: http://www.nrl.com/walmsley-to-make-eng ... fault.aspx

If it wasn't for Nathan Brown I wouldn't be here: England's McGillvary: http://www.nrl.com/if-it-wasnt-for-brow ... fault.aspx

Pritchard: Pacific Tests need Origin-like standing: http://www.nrl.com/pritchard-pacific-te ... fault.aspx

[greeneyed]

World Cup organisers investigating alleged king hit on James Tedesco by team mate

Italy's World Cup campaign has gone from bad to worse with reports of a wild brawl between teammates after their shock 36-12 loss to Ireland.

Channel 7 reports that Italy players were out drinking at the Pier Bar on Sunday night when Tedesco was allegedly struck by Shannon Wakeman.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... zbuar.html

[greeneyed]

All the team lists now available in the original post.

[greeneyed]

England’s Josh Hodgson wants ideal finish after tough 2017 with Canberra Raiders

Canberra Raiders’ Hull-born star Josh Hodgson is aiming to finish off his turbulent 2017 in style with England in the Rugby League World Cup.

“We felt short to be brutally honest at Canberra. We had some honest talks at the end of the season with the coaches and identified some areas where we want to improve,” Hodgson told the Mail. “It will be a long pre-season when I get back with the Raiders but hopefully I can perform well with England and take it into the next NRL season. We have a great squad there at the Raiders and we still have the belief there and that’s the same with England.”

Read more: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/ru ... um=twitter

[greeneyed]

Check out our pics and video of League of Giants at Garema Place on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TheGHRaiders and our pics on Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGHRaiders/p ... 8302532359

[greeneyed]

RLWC 2017: Canberra Raiders Joseph Tapine out for Kiwi revenge against Scotland

Rookie Kiwis back-rower Joseph Tapine is looking to dish out some pay-back when New Zealand meets Scotland in Saturday's Rugby League World Cup pool encounter in Christchurch.

"Definitely I want to get one back on them," said Tapine. "That draw really hurt me last year. It was my debut, so I definitely want to go out this weekend and just go hard and get that win."

Read more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=11939363

[greeneyed]

PNG ready for Ireland, says Canberra Raiders Kato Ottio

PNG Kumuls centre Kato Ottio says the team is ready to take on Ireland in this Sunday’s Rugby League World Cup clash at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

“I am 100 per cent ready, we are always ready, stay ready so you don’t have to be ready…write that down,” he said. “We played well on the right edge. I think Watson needs to call more for the ball, but we told ourselves to be patient and wait for the ball,” Ottio said.

Read more: http://postcourier.com.pg/ready-ireland-says-ottio/

[greeneyed]

VIDEO: Australia and France welcomed to Canberra

Rugby League World Cup fever has hit Canberra in the lead up to Friday's game between the Kangaroos and France at Canberra Stadium, WIN News Canberra reports. Players from both teams took part in a signing session in Civic - with two former team mates reunited.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/TheGHRaiders/p ... 1433582359

[greeneyed]

RLWC 2017: Canberra Raiders Josh Hodgson and James Roby believe they are building a partnership for England

Hooking duo James Roby and Josh Hodgson believe they have the combination to unlock World Cup success for England.

"James is a great player," Hodgson said. "We're very fortunate in the English team to have quite a few good number nines and it certainly keeps you on your toes in training. It makes you try to be the best you can be every day. We played together in 2015 when we won the Test series against the Kiwis and we worked pretty well together then."

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... artnership

[greeneyed]

France captain Theo Fages' terrifying Super League induction

It was meant to be the perfect homecoming, but the celebration quickly turned into a nightmare when Theo Fages' breathing stopped. Luckily it was one the France captain woke up from soon after.

"It was just a bit of a high tackle, a bit late, I got knocked out and that was it. It was a big knockout, I guess, because I think I stopped breathing," Fages said.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... zdfda.html

The next batch of Kangaroos stars on show in World Cup clash against France: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... zdfaq.html

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga won't be the one to end Cameron Smith's Test streak: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... zdf9q.html

[greeneyed]

[cat]

Maloney has left the Kangaroos camp for an urgent personal reason and is highly unlikely to play tonight

source: channel 7 morning news

[cat]

Matt Moylan- James Maloney player swap

AUSTRALIAN star James Maloney has inexplicably walked out of the Kangaroos’ World Cup camp after reports of a mega player-swap.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/moylan ... d6c5010189

Channel 7 reporting it wasn’t due to that rather a personal reason and he maybe back.

[cat]

Samoan and Tongan fans brawl ahead of important match in New Zealand

A man has been charged with assault with a blunt instrument after a street brawl that erupted between Samoan and Tongan fans this week in the lead-up to a crucial Rugby League World Cup game. Tensions are high ahead of the clash in Hamilton on Saturday, where Mate Ma’a Tonga and Toa Samoa will compete for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Tongan and Samoan flags have been popping up around South Auckland and celebrations have been held late into the night, particularly in Otahuhu, with police receiving multiple complaints about loud music and continuous honking.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/brawls ... 0466601072

[yurithe1]

Anyone know if there's anything special planned prior to the Australia vs France game tonight?

[greeneyed]

Anyone know if there's anything special planned prior to the Australia vs France game tonight?

All I know is gates open at 6pm. And that was incredibly difficult to find out.

[greeneyed]

James Maloney leaves Kangaroos camp ahead of World Cup clash with France

KANGAROOS star James Maloney has withdrawn from Friday night’s Rugby League World Cup match against France in Canberra after leaving camp just hours before kick- off. Maloney was named to start at halfback, but the RLWC has confirmed he will miss the match after leaving camp for personal reasons.

Dane Gagai is Maloney’s replacement in Australia’s 19-man squad. Cameron Munster is expected to join Michael Morgan in the halves for the Kangaroos.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/world- ... 3787bcba81

[yurithe1]

Anyone know if there's anything special planned prior to the Australia vs France game tonight?

All I know is gates open at 6pm. And that was incredibly difficult to find out.

At least the weather has improved. That should help convince people who have tickets to actually show up.

I'm going to pick up up some red wine on the way to the game and have a few sips when I watch the recording afterwards.

[The Greenhouse]

Welcome to our coverage of tonight’s World Cup clash between Australia and France. Pics and video as usual on The GH’s Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Here are the final team line ups:


@campo37 on Twitter

[greeneyed]

Steve Renouf says Rugby League World Cup is a huge chance for Joey Leilua

Rugby league great Steve Renouf says a stint with Samoa is a huge opportunity for Joey Leilua to establish himself as one of the best centres in the game.

"It's a good opportunity, he's a good player. The way he's gone for Canberra, he's been one of their big guns obviously, so for them it's a great opportunity," Renouf said. "There's been a lot said about players going to play for the country [that is] the origin of their parents and that's good for the league.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... zdt2k.html

[Jake]

You would imagine Australia will win by 60. Should be good :/

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